From Book Shelves to Digital Screens: A Sociological Analysis of the Dying Reading Culture and Library Usage Among Nigerian Students

Abstract

The widespread growth of digital technologies has reshaped how young people seek information and engage with reading. In Nigeria, academic libraries that were once key hubs of learning are witnessing reduced patronage as students increasingly turn to digital media. This study examines the sociological dimensions of declining reading culture and library usage among Nigerian students and assesses the relationship between digital media use and reading culture. Using a quantitative cross-sectional survey, 200 students from the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology, Lagos, were sampled through multistage techniques; 192 valid questionnaires were analyzed. Data collected through structured questionnaires were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the chi-square test of independence. Results showed that 71.9% of respondents accessed digital platforms several times daily, while 40.1% rarely or never visited the academic library. Increased smartphone use (81.3%), social media engagement (78.1%), and easy access to online information (75.5%) were prominent factors associated with the changing reading culture. The chi-square test indicated a statistically significant association between digital media use and reading culture (χ² = 28.47, df = 4, p < 0.001, α = 0.05). The null hypothesis was therefore rejected. The study concludes that intensive digital media engagement is associated with changes in reading habits and reduced reliance on physical library use among the surveyed students. Recommendations include library digital transformation, reading-promotion initiatives, and integration of information, digital, and critical-reading literacy.